PRISONER EXPRESS

When a corrections officer is being trained in the academy, he is led to believe many things about the supposed character and behavior of inmates. Generally speaking, most of what the officer is told is not true.

The officer trainee is told over and over that we (inmates in general) will run over him every chance we get, that we are out to get him, that if we are dealt with in anything less than a dominating authoritarian manner we will think the officer is weak and easy prey.

Yes, I admit, there are those very few predators who will search for and take advantage of anyone who leaves an opening to be taken advantage of. However, 85% of us aren't in this category. At least not in a serious way. Are we angels? Of course not! But, would I do you harm just because you wear a guard's uniform and are trying to make a living? No, I wouldn't.

In an effort to try to tear down the walls of stereotypes, misconceptions, and unfamiliarity, I would like to share a few thoughts from inside an inmate's mind. The most important thing is how guards and inmates approach each other from the start. It is that first step you take that controls the direction of the path you travel.

Mr. Officer I saw you walking around the unit today with other OJT (on the job training) officers. I can tell you are a bit nervous, I would be nervous too. I hope you don't try to act like someone you aren't; just be yourself. Your acting tough doesn't impress me. We will give you much more respect when you are just being yourself.

Mr. Officer, I know it is part of your job to shake my cell down, but why do you damage my photos and letters? This bothers me more than when you make fun and humiliate me during strip search. My photos and letters mean more to me than anything I possess. It upsets me when you treat my only connection to family and friends will such contempt. My pain grows to anger; it is hard for me to forget. You could have searched my cell without this slap in the face.

Mr. Officer, why do you act like everything I say is a lie? This doesn't encourage me to tell the truth. Mr. Officer, why do you act like you are so high and mighty and I'm garbage? I'm not that different from you; I used to be that guy who worked on your car or who sat next to you at a ball game. Yes, I made a bad decision and I accept my responsibility for that; but the way you treat me is the way I am going to treat you.

Mr. Officer, I really have no problem with you just because you are a guard. I put me in prison; you didn't put me here. You may not know it, but you have a unique opportunity to have a positive impact on my life. Because of your position you are possibly able to influence the way I think about guards, authority, and society.

In a way, you represent all three and your behavior, words, actions, and attitude impact on my behavior, which in turns effects to what degree I'm rehabilitated before returning to society.

One last thought sir, I do know you have a job to do and for security reasons you have to keep a professional distance. We can't become too close. I have no problem recognizing your position of authority; I just ask to be treated as you would like to be treated. Please treat each of us individually as our individual behavior warrants, and I won't treat you disrespectfully because of another officer's behavior.

There are many more areas of interaction on relationship that I could address, but in an effort to give a condensed overview and insight into who we are and how we think as inmates; I offer the above with hope that it is helpful.